Associate Diploma in People Management - Level 5

The CIPD has been championing better work and working lives for over 100 years. It helps organisations thrive by focusing on their people, supporting our economies and societies. It’s the professional body for HR, L&D, OD and all people professionals – experts in people, work and change. With almost 160,000 members globally – and a growing community using its research, insights and learning – it gives trusted advice and offers independent thought leadership. It’s a leading voice in the call for good work that creates value for everyone.

The Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management at Yeovil College is a professionally focused, industry-recognised qualification designed to advance careers in human resource management. Delivered through engaging, face-to-face sessions on a weekly basis, the programme provides a supportive and interactive learning environment tailored to working professionals.

This course is available on a full-time basis and is taught in-person at our Yeovil campus. Full-time students are typically timeteabled for one day per week (provisionally a Wednesday afternoon for the 2026-27 academic year) and the course duration is one academic year.

Over the duration of the course, learners develop advanced knowledge and practical expertise across key areas of people management, including developing professional practice, understanding business context and organisational performance, analysing and applying HR information, employment law, resourcing and talent planning, and reward management.

This qualification equips students with the strategic insight and applied skills required to operate confidently at a higher level within HR roles, while working towards Associate CIPD membership — the industry standard for professional recognition.

No work placement is involved

Chartered Institue of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management - which is awarded by the Chartered Institude of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and is regulated by the Office for Students, as well Ofqual.

Completing the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management at Yeovil College prepares you for progression into mid-level and strategic HR roles across a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, education, public services, healthcare, defence, and professional services throughout the South West.

Typical roles include:

• HR Manager
• HR Business Partner
• People Partner
• Employee Relations Manager
• Talent & Resourcing Manager
• Senior HR Advisor

On successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to apply for Associate CIPD Membership (Assoc CIPD) - a globally recognised professional status that demonstrates your competence, credibility, and commitment to professional standards in people management. This recognition significantly enhances employability and supports continued career progression within the HR profession.

The CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management develops the knowledge and practical skills required to operate effectively at a strategic and operational level within HR.

You will study a range of units that will develop your specialist knowledge and skills. The course is delivered face-to-face in a personable classroom environment, ensuring high levels of academic support, professional relevance, and interactive discussion throughout. Modules currently offered include:

• Organisational Performance and Culture in Practice
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Professional Behaviours and Valuing People
• Employment Relationship Management
• Talent Management and Workforce Planning
• Reward for Performance and Contribution
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Through these units, you will build the confidence to analyse business challenges, manage complex people issues, design workforce strategies, and contribute meaningfully to organisational performance. Please be aware that modules studied may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline or in response to student and stakeholder feedback. Students can always find the most up-to-date information about their modules and who is teaching them in the course handbook.

The course is taught by highly qualified lectures who are dedicated to ensuring student success through effective curriculum delivery and high-quality pastoral support. The team includes staff with relevant academic qualifications and sector expertise - and are Academic Associate CIPD Members. This professional background ensures that teaching is grounded in current industry standards and practical application. The Programme Leader is committed to high-quality curriculum design, inclusive learning, and preparing students not just to pass assessments, but to thrive as confident, ethical, People Practitioners.

This programme is delivered on a part-time, face-to-face basis, with weekly classes that provide structured time to explore complex HR issues, share professional experiences, and apply theory in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Our course includes:

• Weekly classroom teaching (up to 6 hours per week) led by an experienced HR practitioner with appropriate professional recognition (i.e. Academic Associate CIPD).
• Access to a comprehensive Virtual Learning Environment, with curated resources, guided reading and extension materials for each unit.
• Regular one-to-one feedback and academic support.
• A core course textbook provided in paperback.

Our delivery model is designed to provide everything you need to succeed on this professionally recognised qualification. A typical week has around 6 hours of contact time in taught sessions, plus additional 1-1 support available by student request. As a rough guide, between timetabled sessions and independent work, a full-time student should expect to spend around 595 hours studying each academic year,

Each module will include assessments that will need to be completed by set deadlines. More information on assessment methods is included in the "How will I be assessed?" section below.

Individual tutorials can be held on a one-to-one basis by request.

The fee for this programme for students beginning in September 2026 is £3,950.
The cost of the course includes an academic textbook and Student CIPD Membership.

Assessment is through written assignments and coursework that apply learning to real organisational contexts, allowing you to demonstrate analytical thinking, professional judgement, and strategic understanding. Feedback will be provided to you in writing, along with information reflecting your performance and recommendations for improvement.

The CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management is designed for experienced professionals and those ready to study at degree level. Applicants should normally meet the following criteria:

• Aged 19+
• GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade 4 (C) or above (or equivalent)
• At least one of the following:
  • CIPD Level 3 qualification, or
  • A degree in a relevant subject, or
  • Significant experience working within an HR or people management role

As this is a Level 5 (degree-level) qualification, all applications will be reviewed individually. Applicants will be invited to attend an admission interview before an offer is made and will be advised of the criteria in advance.

We recognise that learners bring a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds, and we welcome applications from those who can demonstrate the ability and commitment to succeed on the programme. We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over as of 1st September in the academic year of admission) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants. Please email university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk to find out more.

International applicants will be required to evidence English language skills - this could be an IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component, a grade 4 in GCSE English (or equivalent), or having recently completed a Level 3 qualification taught and assessed in the English language. For more information, please get in touch.

Professional experience and readiness for Level 5 study will be formally assessed at interview. While prior experience within an HR or people management role is strongly recommended, applicants without direct HR experience may be considered where they can demonstrate substantial professional responsibility, analytical capability, and the ability to apply learning within an organisational context.

As this is a degree-level qualification, applicants must be able to evidence the academic skills, critical thinking ability, and professional maturity required to succeed at Level 5.

To apply for this course, you will need to submit an application form directly to the University Centre. You can find out more about this process and download a copy of the application form by visiting our How to apply page, or you can request a copy of the application form directly from the Yeovil College University Centre team via 01935 845454 or university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk.

If you have any questions, or want to know more about this course, please get in touch! You can contact us via email (university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk), phone (01935 845454), or you can fill out our Contact form.